Pain, irritations, spotting, odd discharges, and lumps are some of the signs pointing to a sexually transmitted disease/infections, also known as STD’s/STI’s. The good news is that they’re treatable and manageable if you get diagnosed early. The bad news is that if you don’t treat it, it can cause serious problems to your health in the future. Know that some of these sexually transmitted diseases/infections don't even carry noticeable symptoms. That's why it's advised to get tested.
AFC Urgent Care New Britain is here to help offer quick, convenient, and confidential STD and STI testing. AFC Urgent Care New Britain has developed a guide to inform you about some of the most common STD’s and STI’s, and some advice to help you prevent them.
Don’t Become Next Year’s STD Or STI Statistic!
The CDC states that the following people are most affected by STIs:
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Adolescents and people aged 15 - 24
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Gay, Bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
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Pregnant people
As you will see below, since 2016, Chlamydia has been the only STI that has dropped. The other three STI’s have increased over the years and more so during COVID, where we’ve seen significant spikes.
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Chlamydia - 1.6 million cases; down 1.2% from 2016
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Gonorrhea - 677,769 cases; up 45% from 2016
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Syphilis - 133,945 cases; up 53% from 2016
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Congenital Syphilis - 2,148 cases; up 235% from 2016
How Often Should I Get Tested For STD’s/STI’s?
So, who exactly should get tested? And how often? All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women 25 years and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV. The following people should also get tested:
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Every pregnant woman should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy.
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All sexually active gay, bisexual, and other LGBTQ men/individuals who are actively having sex should get tested.
Getting tested is advised because some STD and STI symptoms don’t appear. You can have an STD or an STI and not even know it, for years. The untreated STD or STI can lead to health problems in the future and in some cases, it can impact fertility.
AFC Urgent Care New Britain Offers Convenient And Confidential STD/STI Testing!
AFC Urgent Care New Britain makes it easy and convenient for you to get confidential STD testing. Our location has in-house labs, giving you faster results that are less expensive than other clinics. The best part is you can also “walk-in” any day of the week for CONFIDENTIAL STD screening and testing. You can also make an appointment here for a more discreet way to check in online. And we now accept payments online, through our website.
We hope that this guide gives you more knowledge to make informed decisions about your sexual health. STD’s and STI’s may sound scary but knowing your status is the first step to having peace of mind.
Always here for you at AFC Urgent Care New Britain!
